Hon Hodge-Smith calls on VI's seniors to speak up against gun violence
![There have been six (6) shooting deaths recorded in the [British] Virgin Islands for 2023. The latest was the gunning down of 25-year-old Julio Rivera, a resident of Purcell Estate, in a parking lot along De Castro Street on November 6, 2023. Photo: VINO/File](https://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/cache/images/800x_8_800x_d_DSC_0288_02.jpeg)
There have been six (6) shooting deaths recorded in the [British] Virgin Islands for 2023. The latest was the gunning down of 25-year-old Julio Rivera, a resident of Purcell Estate, in a parking lot along De Castro Street on November 6, 2023.
“I am really saddened by the gun violence in our community. Yes, I'm a mother, I have two boys and it seems to be the young men that we're losing. We're losing our young men and it's really sad. When you think that it's over, it starts up again,” Hon Hodge-Smith said in a recent interview with 284 Media on Facebook on November 29, 2023.
“And you want to know what can you do? Where can you find these people and just give them a good shake and ask them what are you doing with your life? Why are you choosing to go in this direction? And then I say to myself, you know, they're in it and they have to understand that there are consequences and ramifications,” she added.
Ms Hodge-Smith said she does not understand how someone can so heartlessly take a gun and take one's life, "So that bothers me, the gun violence in our community," she said.
Seniors must speak out - Hon Hodge-Smith
The first-term legislator noted that she has had the opportunity to speak to seniors, along with women in a church, about violence against men, women, and children, where there was a consensus on the need to speak out against violence.
“You know, as a community, we need to speak out, and I also spoke to seniors on two occasions and I said to them, you're the ones that we are taking over from. You've been where we are now, you lived a life and now you're retired, but you still have a role to play in our community,” she added.
She called on VI’s seniors to speak out in a form of guidance when they see something that they are not pleased with since participation from everyone is needed, “We have to listen to you, don’t just take a back seat,” she said to VI’s seniors.
Hon Hodge-Smith said the Church should also take on a more active role in speaking out against crime, form organisations, and demand attention.
“It may not stop it, but to not say anything is just as bad as to say, well, it's ok because no one cares,” Hon Hodge-Smith said.
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15 Responses to “Hon Hodge-Smith calls on VI's seniors to speak up against gun violence”
Going to Report any Crime you see to the POLICE,or any other AUTHORITIES, you might be better off reporting it to my secret Crush MEDIA PERSON CINDY. believe you me she would do a great Job But who would pay her for her work?
We have no Confidence in the currently RUNNING system, but the Bosses want us to supporting them to INDEPENDENCE.
By the way, Let's Salute Hon. LUCE HODGE SMITH for her efforts, atlease she has suggested something that make sense.